Illinois Tollway to Open Roadside Safe Phone Zones

The Illinois Tollway will open six roadside “Safe Phone Zones” this April in an effort to eliminate the dangers of drivers who get distracted by their smartphones and G.P.S. navigators behind the wheel. Here's where they will be located.

The idea is for drivers to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi at the oases to take care of their online business, instead of on the road. As they always have, the oases will also give tired drivers a place to rest and recharge.

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Police say a Chicago driver likely was likely distracted by the G.P.S. unit in his car when he drove it off the closed Riley Avenue ramp on the partially demolished Cline Avenue Bridge, killing his wife and severely injuring himself according to NBC Chicago.

The Illinois State police say it’s not hard to understand how a GPS accident can happen, even with roadway markers and barricades in place.

Distracted driving has been a factor in more than 6,000 crashes in Illinois since 2009, 33 of which were fatal.

And at any given daylight moment, 660,000 drivers nationwide are using cell phones or other electronic devices on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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“When people use their cell phone or want to text while driving, that’s a violation of all laws of human decency. Not only is their health and safety in jeopardy, but the safety of others is as well,” says Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.